Wireless Sensing Measurement Reporting Through PHY/MAC Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless sensing technologies lack an efficient and effective method for wireless sensing measurement and reporting, particularly in environments with rich multipath scattering, such as indoors or metropolitan areas, due to incomplete standardization in technical standards like IEEE 802.11bf.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for wireless sensing that involves transmitting a time series of wireless sounding signals based on a wireless protocol, performing wireless sensing measurements, and reporting these results through the physical and medium access control layers to higher layers for further processing, utilizing heterogeneous wireless devices and protocols like IEEE 802.11/15/16, to extract spatial-temporal information from wireless signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If wireless sensing measurements are performed using existing wireless protocols, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability are insufficient due to incomplete standardization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless sensing functionality into distinct layers: physical layer for signal transmission, medium access control layer for measurement coordination, and higher layers for processing. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently, reducing overall device complexity while improving measurement precision through specialized processing at each layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dedicated medium access control layer as an intermediary between the physical layer and higher layers. This intermediary layer handles the complex measurements and reporting mechanisms, shielding the physical layer from complexity while enabling precise measurements through standardized protocols.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bandwidth is increased to capture more multipaths, then sensing capability is improved, but system complexity and standardization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the medium access control layer to perform multiple functions: coordinating measurements, managing multipath signals, handling reporting, and maintaining compatibility with existing wireless protocols. This multi-functionality increases sensing capability through enhanced multipath utilization while avoiding the complexity of separate specialized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the medium access control layer to adapt to different bandwidth conditions and multipath environments. By dynamically adjusting measurement parameters and reporting mechanisms, the system captures rich multipath information without requiring complex hardware modifications or extensive standardization.
3Measurement precision
If wireless sounding signals are transmitted continuously, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic transmission of wireless sounding signals coordinated by the medium access control layer. Instead of continuous transmission, signals are sent at optimized intervals that balance measurement precision requirements with energy consumption constraints. The periodic action allows the system to capture sufficient multipath information while minimizing energy usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the medium access control layer monitors measurement quality and adjusts transmission parameters accordingly. This feedback enables the system to maintain measurement precision by transmitting only when necessary and optimizing transmission parameters to reduce energy consumption while capturing adequate multipath signals.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus and systems for wireless sensing are described. In one example, a described system in a wireless data communication network comprises: a transmitter configured to transmit a time series of at least one wireless sounding signal (WSS) based on a standard wireless network protocol associated with the wireless data communication network, and a receiver. The wireless data communication network comprises a physical (PHY) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, and at least one higher layer. The receiver is configured to: receive the time series of at least one WSS (TSWSS) based on the standard wireless network protocol through a wireless channel of a venue, and perform a plurality of wireless sensing measurements based on the received TSWSS to obtain sensing measurement results based on the standard wireless network protocol. The PHY layer or the MAC layer of the receiver provides the sensing measurement results locally to the at least one higher layer of the receiver based on the standard wireless network protocol. The sensing measurement results are available to the at least one higher layer of the receiver for performing a sensing-based task based on the sensing measurement results.